Kendrick, 27, went 8-6 with a 3.22 ERA in 34 games (15 starts) for the Phillies last year. He shuttled between the rotation and the bullpen all season while reaching career bests in ERA and games. In 18 games against the NL East, he went 5-2 with a 2.14 ERA.

When Ruben Amaro offered arbitration to Ryan Madson last month, he did not think Madson would still be jobless by the winter meetings.

Well that’s the case now and it could wind up hurting the Phillies.

Amaro offered arbitration because he knew he would get a nice compensation from whatever team signed him. High draft picks means good prospects and with the Phillies getting older, that’s a plus.

It’s still unlikely Madson accepts arbitration because it would lock him up for one year as the set up man for the Phillies new closer, Jonathan Papelbon, lessening his value as a closer for next off season.

But Madson could also pitch in a familiar environment for a year and become available next season when guys like Papelbon and former San Diego closer Heath Bell aren’t on the market as well.

But what if he does? It could hand cuff the Phillies in a way Amaro didn’t even think about.

In a move to get compensation for possibly losing three crucial free agents this off season, the Phillies offered arbitration to closer Ryan Madson, short stop Jimmy Rollins and left fielder Raul Ibanez.

All three have until December 7 to accept or decline the arbitration. If they accept, they will sign a one-year deal with the dollar amount determined through arbitration. If they decline and sign elsewhere, the Phillies will be compensated for the loss.

Both Rollins and Madson are considered elite free agents. If they sign elsewhere, the Phillies will receiver two picks: one being a sandwich pick, and the other depending on where the signing team’s first-round selection falls – if it’s a top 15 pick, the Phils get a 2nd rounder. If it’s below, the Phils get that pick. In this case, they’d hope a good team signs one of the free agents.

With the Phillies signing Jonathan Papelbon last week, it looks like the Phils will be getting compensation from Madson, who will be seeking a nice pay day elsewhere.